UFS Graduate Dies on Campus Hours Before Graduation
BLOEMFONTEIN – A University of the Free State (UFS) graduate has died on its Bloemfontein campus, hours before the student was scheduled to attend the institution’s graduation ceremony. The university confirmed the death occurred on Friday afternoon.
UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader said the deceased was a postgraduate student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
“It is with deep sadness that the University of the Free State shares the news of the passing of one of our students on the Bloemfontein campus,” UFS said in a statement.
She said the cause of death was not yet known.
The university has informed the student’s family and extended condolences to the relatives, as well as the student’s friends and fellow students.
“Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time, and we wish them strength as they come to terms with this loss,” the statement read.
The university did not provide further details.
Loader said the university acknowledged the student’s passing at the conclusion of the ceremony with a moment of silence and said counselling support was provided to the student’s family.
